China's air defense identification zone

PKG

INTRO

Military experts on Saturday said that the establishment of the East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone accords with international common practices.

PKG

Military experts said a country has the right to decide on its own whether or how to set up such zones, without getting permission from other countries, if the move does not violate international laws, breach other countries' territorial sovereignty or affect the freedom of flight.

Experts said China's establishment of the zone is based on the need to tackle a more complex security environment.

And the move is a justified act to maintain the sovereignty and security of the country's territory and airspace.

On Saturday morning, the Chinese government issued a statement on establishing the East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone.

It also issued an announcement on the aircraft identification rules and a diagram for the zone.

According to Defense Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun, an air defense identification zone is established by a maritime nation to guard against potential air threats.

This airspace is demarcated outside the territorial airspace and allows the country to set aside time for early warning and helps defend the country's airspace.

Experts said that based on different situations, China will take timely measures to deal with air threats and unidentified flying objects from the sea, including identification, monitoring, control and disposition.

Since the United States established the first air defense identification zone in 1950, more than 20 countries and regions have set up such zones.

TAG

Also on Saturday, the People's Liberation Army Air Force conducted its first air patrol after the establishment of the East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone.

A spokesman for the PLA Air Force said that two large scouts carried out the patrol mission.